I had to go to the DMV for work. I don't mind waiting at the DMV if I'm getting paid for it.

A man sat next to me and asked what I was reading, which is pet peeve number 1. I didn't make eye contact, didn't look up, just raised the book so he could read the title himself. I don't trust my voice in situations like this anymore; I can get pretty bitchy about this sort of thing.

A few minutes later, he asked if it was a project for school.

"No," I said. "Just a project for life."

And I went back to reading. I was at the DMV getting paid to read; this I could handle. Waiting at the DMV talking to some stinky, older, destitute man is unacceptable. I blocked him out and focused on the words, reading each one instead of speedreading like I usually do, concentrating and avoiding the energy of someone trying to talk to me.

He said he'd just spent nine months reading some book that was 1200 pages. I couldn't understand what he said, and didn't want to invite more conversation -- it was the tempest or the testament of something? I said, "Mm."

His number was called, and he stood up, said it was nice talking to me, and took care of his business. I overheard him -- he was asking for his driving history. Why would anyone need that? A job, I guessed. I could have easily found out for sure, gotten to know this stranger, forged a connection with someone I may or may not ever run into again, but I'm really trying to finish this book so I can send it to Esp before she caves and buys her own copy.

And then my number was called, and I went on to take care of the title transfer for the veggie-fueled 1982 BMW, the company car I can drive whenever I want.

There are so many different lives to lead in this world, and I am doing just fine here in my shy little sphere of creature comforts and safety nets, my little shack on the side of the road well traveled.

About me
Hi. Morgan, 27, of Santa Barbara, CA. I am a hypocritical admirer of rhetoric (when it is my own) and an observer of literary trends. A secret: I don't take anything very seriously, and that includes myself.